Inmate dies in apparent suicide at Santa Barbara County Jail

An inmate of the Santa Barbara County Jail was found dead in his cell Thursady morning as a result from an apparent suicide attempt, authorities said.

At approximately 11:15 a.m. Thursday, custody deputies found Joey Johnson, 23, of Lompoc, unresponsive in his cell. Custody staff and jail medical staff immediately began life-saving measures until Santa Barbara County Fire and AMR paramedics arrived and took over, Mr. Johnson was pronounced dead at 11:50 a.m., according to Raquel Zick, spokeswoman for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

Mr. Johnson’s next of kin have been notified.

“While his death is an apparent suicide, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office is conducting a complete death investigation to determine the official cause and manner of death,” Ms. Zick said.

Mr. Johnson has been in jail custody since Oct. 20, following his arrest by the Lompoc Police Department. He was arrested for two outstanding warrants and providing false information to a peace officer.

The first warrant was for a violation of probation, burglary, and using an ID with intent to defraud. The second warrant was for failing to appear in court, providing false ID to a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia, Ms. Zick said.